Machine for making concrete conduit



Aug. l, 1961 A. R. GAGNE MACHINE: FOR MAKING CONCRETE coNDUIT 3Sheets-Sheet l Filed May l5, 1957 WH* LW?"- INVENToR.

Xga

Aug. 1, 1961 A. R. GAGNE MACHINE EOE MAKING CONCRETE CCNDUIT 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1957 Y* INVENTR. /Y/ gi @ffm/llega Aug. 1,1961 A. R. GAGNE MACHINE FOR MAKING CONCRETE coNDuIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed May 15, 1957 United States arent 2,994,119 MACHINE FOR MAKING`CONCRETE CONDUIT Archie R. Gagne, Franklin Park, Ill., assignor toGagne Enterprises, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois FiledMay '15, 1957, Ser. No. 659,299 Claims. (Cl. 25-63) This inventionrelates generally to machines for making concrete conduit and moreparticularly to an improved machine for making multi-duct concreteconduit such as may be employed yfor protecting underground telephonecables.

According to the present invention, the multi-duct conduit is formed ina mold having a plurality of rotating mandrels therein all driven from acommon driving point, and the number of which is varied according to thenumber of ducts in the finished piece of conduit. The mandrels passthrough a lower pressure pallet or platen having circular openingstherein according to the number of the mandrels forming the ducts, andthis lower pressure pallet has bearing against the bottom thereof a loadtransmitting spider with arms clearing the rotating mandrels, the spidercoooperating with push rods disposed between four of the rotatingmandrels and operable by a crosshead to extrude a finished piece fromthe mold. The top of the mold is provided with a pressure platen havingopenings corresponding to the rotating mandrels, which during themolding process pass therethrough. The upper pressure platen issubjected to a compacting load through a spring and crosshead, thespring enabling the mold to be vibrated to increase the compaction ofthe concrete.

In one form of practicing the invention the pressure platens are formedin such a fashion as to provide a miter on the ends of the finishedconduit so that the conduit may be readily laid along a curve of aradius which is shorter than by pulling the spigot end in the bell endof the conduit.

In the practice of the invention the pressure platens havefrustro-conical sleeves surrounding the mandrels so as to provide smoothconical transition surfaces between the ducts of each pipe.

With the foregoing considerations in mind it is a principal object ofthis invention to provide an improved apparatus for forming multi-ductconduit, said apparatus being characterized by ready adjusted to formconduit having a different number of ducts therein.

Other objects and important features of the invention will be apparentfrom a study of the specification following taken with the drawingswhich together describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of theinvention, .and what is now considered to be the best mode of practicingthe principles thereof. Other embodiments may be suggested to thosehaving the benefit of the teachings herein and such other embodimentsare intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope andspirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a machine according to the presentinvention for making multi-duct conduit, certain parts thereof beingshown in section;

FIG. 2 is a detailed elevational View, certain parts being shown insection, taken substantially along the plane 2--2 of FIG. l, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view showing the i spider forextruding the pressure conduit from the mold seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6 6 of FIG. 2 looking in thedirection of the arrows showing further details of the spider seen inFIG. 5 and its relationship to the mold seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a finished length of conduit formed bythe machine seen with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal -section through the bell and spigot jointbetween two contiguous pipes showing the conical transition surfacesbetween the ducts;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing how lengths of conduit can bedisposed in end to end relationship;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing a pressure transmittingspider for use in making a multiduct conduit having nine ducts thereininstead of six as seen with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section through a finished length of conduitshowing how the pressure platens may be modified so as to provide mitredends on the conduit; and

FIGURE 12 shows the conduits having mitred ends arranged in a curve.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the improvedmachine for forming multi-ducted conduit is referred to generally by thereference numeral 20 and includes a deck 21 for supporting a hollow mold22 of rectangular shape and having base angles 23, the legs 24 of whichare secured by cap screws 26 to a pad 27 resting upon the deck 21. Y

The hollow mold 22 has a plurality of rotating mandrels 2S extendinglongitudinally thereof and arranged to form a plurality of ducts 29 in afinished length of conduit 31, see also FIG. 7. The interior of the mold22 is accordingly filled with a concrete mixture 32, and by reason ofthe rotation of the mandrels 28 the ducts 29 have what can be consideredas a dense trowel-like iinsh.

The mandrels 28, see FIG. 2, are journaled as at 33 in the pad 27, andhave hollow extensions 34 of smaller diameter journaled in end caps 36supported in a plate 37 spanning the distance between a pair of spacedchannel members 38, 38, see also FIG. 2.

As seen in FIG. 3, a pair of opposite extensions 34 have fast theretomeshing gears 39 and 4I. A driving chain sprocket 44 is fast upon theextension 34 supporting the driving pinion 41. A sprocket chain 46 istrained around the sprocket 44, said sprocket chain 46 being alsotrained around a driving sprocket 47 of a speed reducer i3 mounted uponthe spaced channel members 38. The speed reducer 48 includes a drivingmotor 49 therefor, with a driving pulley Si connected by a V-belt drive52 to a driven pulley 53 of the speed reducer 48.

As seen in FIG. 1 the speed reducer has yfeet 54 supported upon members56 extending between the spaced channel members 38.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the driving pinion 39 also meshes with adriven pinion 39a in turn meshing with a `driven pinion 39h, each beingfast upon its respective extension 34. Driving pinion 4l meshes with anidler pinion 41a, idler pinion 41a in turn meshing with an idler pinion41b, the two idler pinions 41a and 41b being fast to their respectiveextensions 34. The teeth ofidler pinions 39a and 39]; are arranged toclear the teeth of the idler pinion 41a and 41b, as seen in FIG. 3, toavoid the necessity of close tolerances in locating the centers of theextensions 34 supporting the idler pinions 39a, 39]?, 41a and @1b.

A lower pressure platen or pallet 57, see also FIG. 4, has openings 58therein corresponding to the spacing of the rotating mandrels 28. Thedimensions of the platen 57 corresponds to the interior dimension of themold 22 as seen in FIG. 1. Each opening 58 has an externally taperedsleeve welded thereat so as to give a correspending slight taper orchamfer 55a at the end of the duct 2-9.

The pressure platen 57 rests upon a spider '59, see also FIG. 5-, havingarms 61 extending between the spaced rotating mandrels 28. The spider 59is urged against the lower side of the lower pressure platen 57 by meansof pressure transmitting rods 62, see also FIG. 3, which move togetherwith the spider 61 and the pressure platen 57 longitudinally of the mold22, under conditions as will be described, and on a longitudinal axiscoincident with the point of intersection ofthe diagonale of fourcontiguous mandrels 28. The upper end of each pressure rod 62 iitswithin a socket 6G in the spider 61.

The pressure transmitting rods 62 are connected at their lower ends to acrosshead 63 which can be raised and lowered by any convenient means,preferably hydraulic cylinders, not shown.

The upper end of the mold 22 is belled as at 64 and the belled end isclosed by an upper pressure platen 66 having openings 67 therein for therotating mandrels 28. Each opening 67 has an external tapered sleeve 65welded thereat so as to give a corresponding slight taper or chamfer 65aat 'the bell end of duct 29.

As seen in FIG. 8 when the spigot end is inserted into bell 64 thetapered surfaces 55a and 65a provide a smooth transition from one ductto another. This is especially important to protect lead sheathed cablewhen it is snaked through the duct 29.

Pressure is exerted against the` upper pressure platen 66 by means of acoil spring 68 the lower end of which abuts the pressure platen 66, andthe upper end of which abuts a crosshead 69. The crosshead 69 issuitably guided at one end by a guide rod 71, the end of the crosshead69 having a guide 72 thereon cooperating with the guide rod 71. Theupper pressure platen 66 is suspended from the crosshead 69 by means oflong cap screws 73 threaded thereinto and passing through openings 74 inthe crosshead 69. A pressure 'transmitting rod 76, preferably part of anhydraulic cylinder and piston system imposes pressure against the platen66 through the medium of the spring 68.

A. hopper 77 is provided to supply concrete mixture to the mold 22 and aform vibrator indicated generally by the reference numeral 78 is securedto the outer side of the mold 22.

It is thought that the operation of the machine is apparent from thedescription foregoing. In loading the machine the upper pressure platen66 is moved from the bell end 64 of the mold 22 and a charge or concretemixture is admitted to the mold 22 with the mandrels 2S, and the lowerpressure platen S7 `and the Vpressure applying spider 59 also in theposition seen in FIG. l. When the fresh charge of: concrete mixture hasbeen placed in the mold the crosshead 69, together with the upperpressure platen 66, is moved to 'the position shown, pressure beingapplied by the upper pressure transmitting rod 76 and the lower pressuretransmitting rod 62 connected to the lower crosshead 63, while the mass33 withinthe mold 22, is vibrated by the form vibrator 7S.

After a suitable time of compaction the upper crosshead 69, togetherwith the upper pressure platen is raised by the rod 76. The lowercrosshead 63 then raises the pressure transmitting spider 59 togetherwith the lower pressure platen 57 to extrude atmolded and compactedarticle from the mold 22. When themolded'and compacted article has beenraised to a position asseen in FIG. 4 the tines 79 of any lifting andtransporting-device can engage the lower face of the lower pressureplaten 57, and the iinished product 31 can then be stored in verticalposition for curing upon any suitable platform'81, afterremoval of thetines 79.

After curing, the lower pressureplaten 57is removed and cleaned andoiled for subsequent reuse. The socured conduit can then be laid as seenin FIG. 9 with a spigot end inserted into a bell end in a manner wellknown in the art.

Referring to FIG. 10 of the drawings, there is shown another form of alower pressure platen and a pressure transmitting spider for use informing conduit having nine duct openings therein. It may be noted thatin this form of the invention, there would be another train of drivingpinions for the extra mandrels required, the master pinion of such trainmeshing with either the pinion 39 or pinion 41, the idler pinionsmeshing with such driving pinion being constructed like the idlerpinions 39a, 39.12, 41a and 4117. In such form of the invention wherenine ducts would be provided in each molded length, the pusher rods 62would -lie at the intersections of the diagonals connecting Ythe turningcenters of four contiguous mandrels thereby providing `four such pusherrods. In such other for-m of the invention the pusher rod 62 would clearthe drive gearing `for the rotating mandrels, if drive gearin-g isemployed. yIt is entirely within the scope of the invention to rock themandrels by any suitable crank and drag-link arrangement.

Referring now to FIGS. 1l and 12, there is shown an alternate form forboth the lower and upper pressure platens S7 and 66. In these forms theplane of platens against the concrete mixture is inclined at an angle tothe longitudinal `axis of the duct, `and in the example given the anglebetween the upper and lower planes of the platen may be of the order of15 as shown. The arrangement shown gives a 15 ruiter at the ends of theconduit so that they can be laid in a curve as seen in FIG. 12. Where a15 ruiter is provided with 36" lengths of conduit they Imay be laid onya curve having a ten foot radius.

In cases where 4, 6, 8 or 9 or any other even number of ducts areemployed, more than two, are to be provided in a molded length ofconduit, the pusher rods would be constructed so as to move on an axiscorrespondin-g to the point of intersection of the described diagonals.

It will be observed that Aany length of conduit less than the length ofthe mold may be made by initially raising the bottom pressure -platen toany desired position. Selection of shorter lengths may be indicatedwhere wei-ght considerations are important.

Concrete conduit constructed by apparatus according to the presentinvention has achieved a seven day strength of as much as 6000 pounds,and a density as high as 167 pounds, bot-h extremely high values.

While the invention has been described in terms of a preferredembodiment thereof its scope is intended to be limited only by theclaims here appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine of the class described `for making multi-duct conduit, adeck having `an opening therein, a mold secured to said deck over saidopening, a plurality of rotating mandrels extending through said openingand lengthwise of said mold, upper kand lower pressure platens havingopenings therein for said rotating mandrels, means for applying pressureto said upper and lower pressure platens while said mandrels arerotating comprising a loaded crosshead with spring means interposedbetween said crosshead and said upper platen, a pressure transmittingspider bearing against the underside of said lower pressure platen andhaving arms extending between said rotating mandrels, a pressuretransmitting member extending longitudinally of said mandrels and havingits axis coincident with the point of intersection of the diagonals offour contiguous mandrels, `and means for vibrating said mold wherebysaid upper and lower pressure platens will compact a concrete masstherebetween.

2. In a machine of the class described for making multi-duct conduit, adeck having an opening therein, a

moldsecured to said deck over said opening, la plurality of mandrelsextending through said opening and lengthwise of said mold, upper andlower pressure platens having openings therein to receive said mandrelsand closely fitting the same, said mandrels extending through saidopenings, means for applying pressure to said upper and lower pressureplatens comprising a loaded crosshead with resilient means interposedbetween said crosshead and said upper platen, a pressure transmittingspider bearing against the underside of said lower pressure platen andhaving arms extending between said mandrels, a pressure transmittingmember extending longitudinally of said mandrels and therebetween andhaving its axis coincident with the point of intersection of thediagonals of four contiguous mandrels, and frusto-conical shapedextensions from said upper and lower pressure platens at the openingstherein and extending inward of said mold and adapted to encircle saidmandrels at the respective upper and lower ends thereof, said extensionsproviding chamfers at the ends of the ducts formed by said mandrels, thefrusto-c0nical extensions from said lower pressure platen being guidedalong their respective mandrels during the expressing of said conduitfrom said mold to maintain the aforesaid chamfers at the lower end ofsaid conduit both during and at the completion of expressing the conduitfrom said mold.

3. In a machine of the class described for making multi-duct conduit, adeck having an opening, a mold secured to said deck over said opening, aplurality of mandrels extending through said opening and lengthwise ofsaid mold, upper and lower pressure platens having openings therein toreceive said mandrels and closely fitting the same, said mandrelsextending through said openings, means for applying pressure to saidupper and lower pressure platens comprising a loaded crosshead withresilient means interposed between said crosshead and said upper platen,frustro-conical shaped extensions from said upper and lower pressureplatens at the openings therein and extending inward of said mold andadapted to encircle said mandrels at the respective upper and lower endsthereof, said extensions providing chamfers at the ends of the ductsformed by said mandrels, a pressure transmitting spider bearing againstthe underside of said lower pressure platen and having arms extendingAbetween said mandrels, a pressure transmitting member extendinglongitudinally of said mandrels and between the same, and means formoving said 4loaded crosshead away from said mold prior to theexpressing of a compacted length of conduit from said mold, thefrustro-conical shaped extensions from said lower pressure platen beingguided along their respective mandrels during the expressing of saidconduit from said mold to maintain the chamfers in the lower end of saidconduit both durin-g and at the completion of expressing the conduitfrom said mold.

4, In a machine of the class described for making multi-duct conduit, adeck having an opening therein, a mold secured to said deck over saidopening, a plurality of mandrels extending through said opening andlengthwise of said mold, upper and lower pressure platens havingopenings therein to receive said mandrels and closely tting the same,said mandrels extending through said openings, means for applyingpressure to said upper and lower pressure platens comprising a loadedcrosshead With spring means interposed between said crosshead and saidupper platen, a pressure transmitting spider bearing against theunderside of said lower pressure platen, a pressure transmitting memberextending longitudinally of said mandrels, frustro-conical shapedextensions from said upper and lower pressure platens at the openingstherein and extending inward of said mold and adapted to encircle saidmandrels at the respective upper and lower ends thereof, said extensionsproviding chamfers at the ends of the ducts formed by said mandrels, andmeans for moving said loaded crosshead away from said mold prior to theexpressing of a compacted length of conduit therefrom, the compactedlength of conduit in said mold being moved therefrom by said lowerpressure platen and said pressure transmitting spider, said lower platenbeing separable from said spider and providing a base for supporting aremoved length of conduit, the `frustro-conical extensions from saidlower pressure platen being guided along their respective mandrelsduring the expressing of said conduit from said mold to maintain thechamfers in the lower end of said conduit both during and at thecompletion of expressing conduit `from said mold.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said upper and lower pressureplatens have surfaces inclined at an angle to the 'longitudinal axis ofthe mold whereby the ends of the conduit formed in the mold are mitered.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 332,047Burdick Dec. 8, 1885 392,069 Richardson Oct. 30, 1888 395,095 Walsh Dec.25, 1888 1,363,912 Pauly Dec. 28, 1920 1,488,644 Lewis et al. Apr. l,1924 2,193,879 Muenzer Mar. 19, 1940 2,614,312 Rankin et al. Oct. 21,1952 2,717,435 Livingston et al. Sept. 13, 1955 2,723,436 Campbell Nov.15, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 73,038 Denmark Aug. 20, 1951 10,6122 GermanyDec. 6, 1956 43,500 Germany June 18, 1888 668,023 Great Britain Mar. 12,1952 437,368 Italy 1948

